Here we have a strange alternate reality, one where an Irish Crown Princess is thrust into the middle of international intrigue, adventure, and danger, A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott. An exciting alternate reality novel that promises much and delivers even more.

For Taillte (Talty) Boru, Crown Princess, life is perfect, except for one thing; she is destined to be the queen of a modern-day Ireland. This is what she is training for and this is her future. She is not looking forward to it, a life she sees as one of endless drudgery to come. But events take a turn when Prince Geoffrey Wessex, Regent of the Kingdom of England, decides to enter the game of international politics. In order to force Ireland into giving England several oil wells, he claims a small bleak island within Irish territorial waters. He wants to use the island as a bargaining chip. However, by chance, an Irish fishing vessel is in the area. Things go terribly wrong. The English sink the unarmed vessel and try to hide this fact.

A centuries old friendship between the kingdoms of Ireland and England is on the verge of destruction. The repercussions of all this seem to fall directly upon Talty. She is informed of the English ploy and then of the only seeming solution, that she marry the English king, a supposed drooling idiot. Talty is horrified to learn this. However, when told that the king isn't expected to live long, and then she would be free, she reluctantly agrees. There are complications: one being that Prince Geoffrey is angling to maintain power in England, even after the old king dies. The only good aspect of the plan, in Talty's opinion, is that although she will be an active English queen for but a short while, the new treaty means she must give up all rights to becoming a queen of Ireland.

Events, however, are even more complex than just about everyone realizes. Talty, a member of that elite warrior force, the Fianna, suddenly finds herself in the middle of growing international intrigue, devious plots, and far more. Life is suddenly a whirlwind of dangerous surprises and poor Talty is in the midst of them. Somehow, she must save the day when really all she wants is the love of Neil Boru, the one man with whom she would truly like to spend her life. But this seems impossible until events take an even more bizarre turn.

A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott is an excellent read. As with all alternate reality books, one must accept with a willing suspension of disbelief that such a universe can exist, and would be the way it is in the story. At accomplishing this, some authors are better than others, and Ms. McDermott is one of those better authors. She weaves a fast-paced tale in a believable setting, one filled with action, adventure, intrigue, and strange twists.

Besides all these great things, A Band of Roses is not lacking in the romance department. A Band of Roses is a well-rounded, action-filled novel, one with a strong element of romance, and a book that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I highly recommend A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott. This story thoroughly deserves a 9 out of a possible 10 rating, for it is a nearly perfect read!

Reviewed By Rob Shelsky
© September 2009